Board approves director pay increase, multiple easements and fundraising requests; vice chair elected

The Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation on Aug. 1 approved a 10% merit-based salary increase for the department director, authorized nonprofit fundraising for the Ted Rhodes golf-course renovation, and approved or moved forward a string of conservation easements, permits and donations.

The board voted to approve the minutes of its July meeting and adopt multiple staff recommendations that were presented during the consent agenda. Commissioner Edward Henley reported the finance committee had “unanimously approved a merit increase” for the director; the board approved a 10% merit increase after a motion and voice vote.

The Tennessee Golf Foundation requested board permission to solicit private donations for a proposed Ted Rhodes golf-course restoration and construction of a community pavilion. The foundation presented an estimated project cost of about $8 million — roughly $5 million for the course and $3 million for a pavilion — and the board voted to allow the foundation to fundraise for the full project.

The board approved several conservation greenway easements and deferred others to the acquisition…